Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 11: Yeah, That's How You Know It's Real (1of2)

The party started at 7pm and guests keep coming one by one to greet the man of the night who just turned 76 this year.

What’s more amazing about the legendary Uranus Nevaeh is he’s still the chairman of the Nevaeh Group, who directly managing their aircraft business, leaving the agricultural company to his daughter-in-law whom his 1st son surviving spouse; the chemical company to his 2nd son; and the construction company to his 3rd son.

Not because he doesn’t want anyone to hold the power, he possesses but because neither of his sons nor their respective wives wants the position, so even if he wanted to retired since he moved in to Korea, he’s still the one in-charge until one of his grandchildren takes the great responsibility from him.

As for his grandchildren, his eldest grandson, the only child of his 1st son, found his own path in sanitary engineering, which is way far from aeronautical, so he’s unlikely to succeed the aircraft company.

His eldest granddaughter, the only child of his 2nd son, became a landscape architect, who also doesn’t show any interest to take the position from him.

He only hopes for one of the 6 children of his 3rd son, and one of 3rd son’s 3 sons finally have a liking in dealing with transportation industry.

“So, you mean it’s highly probable that Don will succeed Halabeoji and manage your aircraft company even though he’s a marine engineer?” looking at Hera after she explained to me the serious matter in her family. “Does Don agreed to be his successor?”

“Well he learned how to manage business with Lolo since we moved here and he’s capable of keeping up.” Hera drinking her champagne.

“But what about Zeus, Demeter, and you? You 3 doesn’t want to be his successor?” drinking a non-alcoholic beverage.

“Ter’s a geologist and I’m a nurse, so absolutely it’s not us, as for Zeus who just had his license as an electronic engineer last week and currently working at Lolo’s company, knowing him he’s only testing the waters if it’s not in his liking he’ll just leave everything behind so nobody knows if he’s staying or not.” Hera explained. “Unlike Don, he knows what he wants and he won’t start something that he won’t finish. He’s way much better than Zeus when it comes to leadership and he’s more mature compare to me and Ter. That’s why choosing him as the next leader of Nevaeh Aircraft is the best option.”

“I see.” looking around. “I think your younger sister wants to talk to you but she doesn’t want to come near you. She’s been staring at our direction for almost an hour now. Some were just glancing at us back and forth but she, she’s literally watching you.” whispered to her.

“You’re too aware of my surroundings, huh?” smiling at me. “You’re not my bodyguard but you’re acting like one right now.”

“How can I not if you’re looking like that right next to me?!” looking at her dress that exposing her cleavage aside from being sleeveless.

“I wore this for you not for anybody else.” she said. “Can you give me some kind of motivation and muster my courage to talk with my sister?”

Grabbing her shoulders as I look at her in the eyes. “You can do it!”

“Mmm. I can do it.” nodding at me. “Don’t flirt with anyone.” walks off.

“What??” chuckles as I watch her make her way to Hestia.

“You’re finally alone.” Zeus appeared in front of me. “Follow me.” walk right past by me as he gives me a side eye.

“Why do I feel like he’s going to kill me if I follow him?” following him.

Zeus brought me to the wine cellar and opened a bottle of wine as we take a seat at the couch in the corner.

“You didn’t bring me here just to have a drink with you, right?” taking a sip of the sweet red wine.

“Breakup with Hera.” he said without hesitation.

“Wow, you’re so straightforward!” chuckles. “Never gonna happen.” giving him a serious look. “It’s like your asking me to commit suicide.”

“I don’t care if you die or not, I just want you out of her life.” he scoffs at me as he drinks his wine.

“Why do you despise me so much? I’ve done nothing to you.”

“Yes, you do, you love Hera and I hate that.” looking at me with murderous intent. “The way you look and touch her like she belongs to you, and what’s worse is she’s just letting you; I can’t accept it.”

“Look, Hera belongs to no one, she’s free to do whatever she pleases, that includes leaving me if she doesn’t want me anymore but until then there’s no way, I’m going to leave her.” emptying my glass in one gulp. “If there’s nothing else we’re going to talk about then I’ll take my leave now.” stand up from my seat and take a few steps away from him.

“You don’t know everything about Hera, I’m the only one who knows her better than anyone else including herself.” he uttered.

Looking back at him as I stop my pace. “It doesn’t matter as long as she’s with me, I don’t care about anything else but her happiness. You’re her brother you shouldn’t you wish for the same thing for her instead of being obsess with your own sister?” turning my back against him as I make my way out from the wine cellar.

I tried to follow the path we took earlier but I’m really bad at directions so I lost inside the North Mansion, if not for one of the men that serving the Headmaster of the Nevaeh clan, I wouldn’t find my way back to the party hall.

“Where have you been??!” Hera grab my hand as soon as she saw me walks in. “Tia and I are all good now and she wants to meet you.”

“It’s embarrassing but I got lost when I tried to find the toilet on my own.” holding her hand. “It’s good to hear that it all went well for you.”

“Well I can’t blame you, every mansion in this residence have a maze-like interior.” smiling at me. “But I know you always have your way back to me even if you get lost.”

“You’re absolutely right.” smiling back at her. “Did you cry with your sister earlier? Your eyes are still red.”

“Do you even have to ask? We’re girls so it’s normal for us to be dramatic.” touching the corners of her eyes. “Do I look bad?”

“No, you’re still a goddess among other ladies here. Also, you’ll never look bad even if you don’t have makeup on, you’re born beautiful.”

“You and your sweet talk.” laughing at me. “You always flatter me.”

“No, I’m not, but I always want to see that gorgeous smile on your face.” staring ahead as we walk hand by hand.

“I’m finally meeting the most handsome student from college of medicine in KU.” Hestia said. “Sorry for the rude behavior earlier at lunch, I also didn’t pay much attention to you earlier so consider this as our first meeting. Let me introduce myself formally, Hello, I’m Hestia and you can call me Tia since almost everyone thinks that you’ll be my future brother-in-law.” shaking my hand with a bright smile.

“Nice to meet you in good mood, Tia.” smiling back at her as I released her hand from my grip. “I heard that you’re currently a sophomore majoring in psychology, I’m only a year ahead of you, I should be paying attention to my juniors from now on.”

“Just to my sister and not to everyone else who doesn’t concern you.” Hera reprimanding me to be close with other girls.

“Yes, ma’am.” saluting her. “I just found out that your sister easily gets jealous.” telling to Hestia. “But I like how she claim me as hers.”

“That’s because I’m only yours so you should only be mine too.” Hera said as intertwine her fingers with mine. “By the way, we’re staying for a night at the South Mansion if that’s alright with you? I’m sleeping with Tia tonight in my bedroom.”

“It’s much better if you sleep with me but I guess I can lend you tonight with your sister.” glancing at Hera and Hestia.

The party ended at 10pm and we went back to the South Mansion where we decided to spend for the night.

“You have to get out, Tia will be here any minute now.” Hera pushing me away as I keep on kissing her lips.

“I’ll be out when she comes, just let me stay here until then.” kissing.

Hestia knocks on Hera’s bedroom door. “I’m going to open the door now, you two are decent right?”

“Come in.” Hera said. “Now stop, go to your room and sleep, we’ll be leaving tomorrow morning for my work and your class.”

“Fine.” walking out from her room. “Goodnight ladies.” waving my hand to them. “Don’t stay up to late.” closing the door as I step out.

“They’re having a girls’ night?” Uncle Cronus saw me coming out from Hera’s bedroom. “Would you like to have a cup of tea with me, Jun?”

“Sure, Uncle.” following him to a room where a lot of toys stored. “Is this your children playroom?”

“This was their favorite room when we moved here. Been used for 4 years until my youngest, Tia, became a middle schooler. Then they stopped going to this room, if not for the maids who clean this room regularly then this room will be completely forgotten as part of this house.” Uncle Cronus looking around and touching the toys on the shelves. “These toys must be lonely for being abandoned for a long time and just left here by their owners, but I’m glad I kept them, now all of these toys will be transferred to a new house and new owner. I’ve been thinking, if I should give these toys to my eldest daughter new born baby which would take a little while before she plays with all of them, considering also that she may not because she prefers new toys, or should I give them to children who rarely get to play with toys. What do you think, Jun?” asking me as if it’s a test. “Either way I’m giving them out to make this to another useful room.”

“It’s about someone uncertain happiness against the unquestionable happiness of everyone. You already know the answer, Uncle, what’s stopping you from choosing the right one?” looking at him.

“I only realized recently when Ter gave birth to Persephone that my children are starting to have a family of their own.” sitting across the couch where I’m sitting. “I’ve heard what you’ve done at the orphanage in Goyang, you risked your life to save this one child.”

“Kwon Yuri.” I responded even if I’m quite confuse with the sudden change of our topic. “She’s Hera’s beloved child among the other children at the orphanage. She told me that she’ll kill herself if that child dies so I’ve mustered up my courage to save Yuri from fire.”

“What do you think of that child, son?” Uncle Cronus giving me a look.

“I pity her the most because of her illness. Hera told me about Yuri’s heart disease and as far as I know the child won’t live longer although there are rare cases that a person with such condition can live at the age of 18 according to studies.” I replied to him.

“Have you ever considered adopting her? Your family are all doctors and you’ll be one too in the future, maybe you can help to prolong the child’s life, don’t you think?” giving me a puzzled question.

Shaking my head. “It never crossed my mind to adopt a child because in my current state, I’m still depending on my parents and I’m not yet ready to be a father to someone else’s child.” thinking again. “But if Hera would want Yuri to be part of our future family then I would do so, after all your daughter’s happiness is what I live for.”

“You truly love Hera that much, my boy.” smiling at me. “That daughter of mine suffered a lot of hardships in the past, all because of the wrong decisions she made. She’ll live with that for the rest of her life and as her father, I couldn’t do anything for her but to cause her more heart aches. I’m glad that someone like you who care about her happiness come to her life, she needs a man like you who love her and protect her from any harm even if it costs his own life.” serving me a tea. “Thank you, Oh Jun, for choosing my daughter to love and cherish.”

“I should be the one thanking you Uncle for bringing Hera into this world.” taking the cup of tea that he’s giving me.

“I approved you as my son-in-law, you only need to tell me when are you going to marry my daughter, then we’ll arrange your wedding right away.” drinking his cup of tea with me.

“Thank you for accepting me as part of your family, future father-in-law.” pouring tea on his empty cup.

“I want to do it right this time with my 2nd child, I’ve got no other choice but to give Demeter’s hand to Zeus Ceres before she gave birth to Persephone. It all happened in an instant, we all just met him on Ter’s recent birthday and they both confirmed that he’s the child’s father so the very next day we arranged their civil wedding and few hours after Ter bore her child.” explaining his experience.

“That’s a complete whiplash!” recalling what Demeter told me and Hera before as she shared her story to us. “Hera was also blown away with all the revelations that Ter told us earlier.”

“You know that a family secret, right? You can’t tell to anyone what happened, it’s enough for the public to know that Zeus Ceres is legally married to my daughter and we just fabricated the stories of their past but it’s true that they’re in love with each other.” he said.

... To be continued ...